Eligibility requirements

The Professor Dr Max Cloëtta Foundation supports medical research positions at Swiss university hospitals and institutes. Funding is available to fully trained, independent researchers with clinical and/or experimental experience who have already distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and are considered promising candidates for newly created or upcoming academic positions. The aim of this funding is to support and strengthen young scientists on their path to a permanent professorship. Throughout the funding period, the respective universities, hospitals or institutes remain the formal employers of the funded individuals.
Applicants must meet the academic age requirement and must be employed at a university hospital or institute. The remainder of their working time is to be spent on clinical duties, teaching or other institutional obligations.

The funding is intended to provide targeted support for their scientific development and enable them to attain the status and title of assistant professor or an equivalent academic position at their institution during the funding period. If suitable vacancies arise, they are expected to apply for these positions. Where possible – ideally by the end of the funding period – the recipients should be permanently integrated into their host institutions.

Recipients of funding are also expected to acknowledge the support provided by the Professor Dr Max Cloëtta Foundation either in writing or by using the Cloëtta logo in all publications, presentations, etc.

Duration and workload

Support is granted for a maximum of five years. An extension of a further two years is only possible in exceptional circumstances.

Basic researchers must devote 100% of their working time to research, apart from compulsory teaching duties at their institution.
Clinical researchers must devote at least 70% of their working time to research. The maximum duration of support remains unchanged.

Financial amount

The salary of the beneficiaries should correspond to the level of a local assistant professorship or an equivalent position. The Foundation shall determine the salary amount in consultation with the university research institution where the beneficiaries are employed. The Foundation may set a maximum salary. The amount also covers the employer’s statutory social security contributions in accordance with the local flat rates set by the SNSF for each host institution.

Evaluation procedure and assessment criteria

Applications for the Cloëtta Research Centre are evaluated in two stages. The Scientific Committee reviews the applications and decides which candidates will be invited to an interview with the Committee. The Committee then submits its recommendations to the Foundation Board.

The Scientific Committee bases its assessment of applications on the following criteria:

• scientific quality, originality and topicality of the proposed project;
• suitability of the methodology and feasibility of the project;
• professional qualifications of the applicant.

Submitting an application

Applications must be written in English and submitted via the registration page on the Cloëtta website. There you will find all the information you need about format, registration and required documents. Please read these instructions carefully before you begin your application. The complete application must be submitted by the deadline using the online form provided. Detailed information on this funding programme is also available at www.cloetta-foundation.ch.

Call for applications 2026

• Application deadline: 1 March – 30 June 2026
• Interviews: January 2027 (by invitation, only for selected candidates)

Earliest start date for the research position: June 2027
Latest start date for the research position: December 2027 (provided that all personal and formal eligibility requirements are still met.)

The Foundation reserves the right to publish the names of beneficiaries on its website. This may include photographs, information on projects carried out with the support of the grant, and related publications.

Data protection notice: We process personal data in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and the Data Protection Ordinance (DSV). Further information can be found in our privacy policy.

When you plan your time, please note that the director of the university, of the clinic or of the institute must also sign the original application form and write a letter of recommendation which must be submitted together with the other documents. Please read the guidelines as well as the information sheet carefully before preparing your application.

Application Documents 

• Application Form 2026 (interactive PDF)
• Guidelines
• Information Sheet

For further information, please contact our office by email – ideally early on in the application process.